The best islands in Cornwall for day trips and overnight trips

Cornwall’s iconic tidal island lies off the coast opposite Marazion at the end of St Michael’s Way, a 13-mile pilgrimage from the north to south coast and is linked to the mainland by a magical jutting granite causeway as the tide recedes. Crowned by a medieval castle and a church with subtropical rock gardens above the small harbor, legend has it that a giant’s heart is immortalized on the cobblestone path.

Walking, or at high tide during spring/summer St Aubyn Estates operate boats for £2.80 per person, under 18s £1.50, under 1s free. Entry to castle and grounds – National Trust members free, adults £15 (castle), £11 (garden), children 5 – 17 £7.50 (castle), £6.50 (garden), under 5s free. Dogs are not allowed on the island between April 1 and September 30.

2. Puffin Island, nr Padstow

Cornwall’s only remaining breeding colony of puffins returns annually to an island just off the coast of Padstow. From late April to late July, these adorable birds can be seen fishing and feeding their young, hidden in their burrows. Other seabirds inhabit the island, including gulemots, razbills, gannets and oystercatchers, and the surrounding water is home to seals, dolphins and the occasional whale and tuna.

Padstow Sealife Safari (+44 (0) 7754 822404; padstowsealifesafaris.co.uk/) runs one-hour puffin tours May – July for £27.50 (adult) and £20 (child) and two-hour sealife safaris for £42.50 (adult) and £32.50 (child) until mid-October. Small dogs are allowed but discouraged on the boat.

3. Looe Island, nr Looe

Close to the charming fishing town on the south coast of Cornwall is the Isle of Looe, a marine nature reserve. Once owned and lived in by two sisters, it was bequeathed to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust in 2004 to protect its wild beauty. Home to a wealth of wildlife, including the largest breeding colony of the majestic black-backed gull, as well as gray seals, Hebridean sheep and wildflowers across 22 acres, visitors arriving by boat can spend two hours exploring.

Looe Sea Safari runs Looe Island tours from April to September, with two hours to explore the island for £12 (adults) and £7 (children under 10), plus landing tax of £8 (adults) and £3 (children under 11 years). No dogs are allowed on the island.

4. Seal Island, nr St Ives

Atlantic gray seals are curious creatures and a large colony can be found on ‘Seal Island’ or Western Carracks (Cornish for rock) off the wild West Penwith rocky coast. For 20 years boaters from St Ives have been taking trips to Seal Island, where an inlet in the rocks allows the boat to approach the island safely. An arctic seal was spotted for the first time last month.

St Ives Boats They offer one-hour trips to Seal Island for £25 (adults) and £15 (children 1-11) under 1s are free.